Hakeem Jeffries Says Democrats’ Midterm Wins Reject Corruption and Extremism

Midterms shift Congress

Decision Desk HQ projected Democrats to take over control of the US House of Representatives in the midterm elections, as ABC News projected Democrats to take control of the Senate and House. Hakeem Jeffries said the election results were a rejection of "corruption" and "extremism," and he promised that House Democrats would deliver for the American people "as soon as we get into office in January." The BBC reported that Democrats were projected to have a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and it said that would mean Democrats could pass laws more easily and challenge the president's agenda.

The Al-Jazirah Net account said Democrats had won 102 House seats to 58 for Republicans out of 435 seats, while Democrats held 45 Senate seats to 36 for Republicans out of 100, with CNN projections estimating a House majority for Democrats. The BBC also said the current estimate for the House of Representatives was that Democrats would win at least 239 seats and Republicans at least 161 seats, with several races still waiting to be called, including California and Texas.

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Trump, veto, and reactions

Donald Trump warned of using a veto against Democratic legislation if Democrats gain control of Congress, and Al-Jazirah Net quoted him hinting he could challenge Democrats even if Republicans lose control.

Trump told CBS News he has absolute power and the veto against Democratic legislation if they control Congress, and Al-Jazirah Net reported that he added he would welcome the title "Mr. Veto."

The BBC said Trump dialled into Fox News to discuss his reaction to the results, and it quoted Trump saying, "We had tremendous rallies," and "I'm a little bit surprised".

Hakeem Jeffries told a crowd, "Today begins the great American comeback," as the BBC described him celebrating his party taking back control of the House of Representatives from the Republicans.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he was disappointed, and CBS News quoted him saying, "Republicans will not be deterred by the outcome of one election."

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What changes next

The BBC said that when Democrats take back Congress, they will be able to launch investigations into members of the president's administration, and it framed the win as a decisive rebuke of President Donald Trump and his Republican Party. Bloomberg said the shift in power, which would take effect on January 3, would end Trump's ability to push legislation with only Republican support, while it said Trump promised to veto bills. Al-Hurra reported that Democrats need to win four additional seats in each chamber to take the majority from the Republican Party, and it said control of the Senate would influence the administration's ability to shape institutions and pursue priorities.

AP said Democratic control of the Senate would reshape Trump's final two years in office and likely hamstring his ability to push his agenda, including hopes for sustaining a conservative shift to the Supreme Court. AP also said Democrats needed a net gain of three seats for the House majority and four seats for the Senate majority, and it reported that more than 59 million people had already cast ballots before Tuesday.

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